Coaches and teachers should remind teens of safe driving habits

Our deepest sympathies go to the family of Beverly Orban, the 18-year-old who passed away in a fatal car crash Aug. 16 near Mount Pleasant.

Tragically, these crashes happen with alarming frequency. Crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., and teens' crash risk is three times that of more experienced drivers. Education is one step toward reducing teen driver crashes.

As Beverly's high school community mourns her death, it is my hope teachers and coaches take a moment to review safe driving tips and teen driving laws with students.

A team of traffic safety experts developed the GDL Game Plan to help schools help protect new drivers from common crash risks. I encourage school administrators to use this tool, which is free and can be downloaded at nsc.org/tnteensafedriving.

The Tennessee Teen Safe Driving Coalition, an initiative of The Allstate Foundation and the National Safety Council, works at the grass-roots level across our state to raise awareness and help prevent crashes such as Beverly's. With increased education and advocacy, I am confident we can make Tennessee's roads safer for everyone and ensure young drivers return home safely to their families each and every day.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Coaches and teachers should remind teens of safe driving habits

Our deepest sympathies go to the family of Beverly Orban, the 18-year-old who passed away in a fatal car crash Aug. 16 near Mount Pleasant.